The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that vaping by high school students has increased to 20.9% in 2018, up from 11% in 2017. The increase was twice as large as the previous record for a year-over-year increase in vaping.
Drug addiction and deaths from overdosing is an epidemic and affects all urban and rural socio-economic groups. ACT on Drugs focuses on providing accurate, non-judgmental information to vulnerable adolescents. Feedback confirms that ACT’s connection with teens is reducing the risk of substance use/abuse.
Our Mission and Vision
Our mission is to improve the health of our communities by increasing the awareness of the devastating lifestyle and physical effects of drug use and abuse.
Our vision is to provide this awareness by educating youth, community organizations and those in the workplace.
About Our Organization
ACT on Drugs (ACT) was started in 2007 by Lynn Riemer, President, to educate the community about legal and illicit addictive and psychoactive substances. The mission of ACT on Drugs is to provide drug education programs to encourage new behaviors that result in drug-free lifestyles. This mission will be met by:
- Educating youth about the science of addiction
- Providing evidence-based information about the consequences of substance abuse and health risks
- Encouraging people, especially youth, to take responsibility for consequences that come with making poor decisions
- Raise awareness and discuss behaviors which result in active and healthy lifestyles
- Educating and encouraging eveyone to become the first line of defense in combating drug use
Our Accomplishments
Since the organization was founded, ACT on Drugs has reached 149,700 students, parents, school staff and administration, first responders, teachers, medical personnel, governmental employees, law enforcement, CASA volunteers, and community mentors have attended ACT presentations. In total, ACT has completed:
- 4,371 educational training sessions of which 20% (868) of those were provided free-of-charge donated by ACT (868)
- Providing evidence-based information about the consequences of substance abuse and health risks
- 3,702 school presentations to Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Lockups, and Teen Drug Courts
- 196 School Staff, Administration, Parents and Community trainings
- 473 trainings to other organizations, conferences, and governmental agencies